“Help Fourth celebrations go on”

This year will mark the 75th year of service to the community by the Exeter Lions Club. The club has, for 68 years, provided fireworks for Exeter’s Fourth of July celebration, and in recognition of the club’s 75th anniversary, it has provided funds for an extended finale for this display.

As the papers have reported, putting on fireworks on the Fourth of July is becoming harder and harder for small communities. Regulations from the state, FBI, fire department and insurance companies are making compliance expensive and harder every year.

When first started, the Exeter Lions show was literally put on for peanuts. The club purchased large sacks of peanuts, re-bagged them and sold them to the crowd to pay for the show. Nowadays, the costs — excuse the pun — have rocketed and the manpower needed to oversee the new rules and regulations has increased dramatically.

I encourage everyone to come out to support and enjoy this year’s show. Also, to support their continuation in all communities, by joining clubs like the Lions Club or supporting them financially.